Saturday, 15 December 2012

Do you have any old film that your dad or granddad took in the local club lying around? Do you have anything stored away in a club storeroom somewhere collecting dust? Then if so, this is wanted!

A small company in London, Kinolibrary, is trying to find some amateur film of working men’s clubs in their heyday, particularly the 1960s.

They want to see what the members of clubs did as through the eyes/lens of members themselves! They are very interested in working class leisure as seen from the perspective of working class people themselves.

If the film is in a useable condition and suitable for their needs, they are willing to pay a small fee.

Club Historians is assisting them because we believe that there is a dearth of such home-made type of film about clubs available. We don't just want the professional documentary film but what the people made for themselves. So- get searching!

In ‘Not Just Beer and Bingo! The Social History of Working Men’s Clubs’, Ruth traces the history of clubs from their mid-19th origins and brings the story right up to date to 2012- the year that marks the 150th anniversary of the Club and Institute Union (CIU).

This is the first book that tells the complete club story across those 150 years.

All aspects of club life are covered in a highly readable, often funny, sometimes poignant manner. At all times, Ruth maintains a scholarly approach, drawing upon wide-ranging research and the wealth of information collected from scores of club goers, officials and entertainers from across the country. They tell their own stories throughout the book about the life and times of clubs, from nights out with the kids to seaside outings, games and gambling and club concerts.

Ruth highlights throughout the book how clubs were once at the centre of working class leisure time as well as at the heart of the communities where they were located. She shows how clubs played numerous social and cultural roles, making important contributions to the lives of their members and their families.

In this 150th anniversary year, with many challenges and club closures, Ruth details reasons for their decline but also in what ways club people are fighting back in order to bring in new members and keep their doors open. She finishes by offering valuable insights into their future prospects.

To find out more about the book and how to order, go to- authorhouseamazon
It is also available for Kindle and Android devices

Hello to any club goers, past and present out there. We are keen to keep alive the club spirit that existed for so long in working men's and other clubs over the years. Ok- so times have changed, but so can clubs to keep themselves at the heart of local communities.
If you would like to know more about what has been going on to write the history of clubs and to bring folk together, please take a look at www.clubhistorians.co.uk
More soon!
RC